LSU expects defensive end Arden Key to return to the active roster before the 2017 season begins -- probably this summer --

Without Key, who set a school record with 12 sacks last season, or 2016 seniors Tashawn Bower and Lewis Neal, who can defensive coordinator Dave Aranda count on to supply a steady pass rush off the edge?

Orgeron and Aranda can offer extra practice reps to the contenders at a spot that has no proven performers behind Key. Here are some of the players who should get a long look this spring:

Andre Anthony: NCAA ruled Anthony ineligible last season.

Sci Martin: The resemblance between Key's game and Martin's was a big reason why Martin was such a big get...

There are a number of possibilities why Key is not with the team entering the spring. Most of them would be speculative, but according to sources in the program, there is a growing confidence that the star BUCK linebacker should return at some point before the season.

The silver lining here is that Key is entering his junior season at LSU and his second season under defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. While Aranda will continue to tweak things with his new personnel, it shouldn’t take long before an all-world talent like Key adjusts and fits right back in.

Missing the spring is in no way ideal for Key, but it also isn’t that big of a deal. It’s likely he has personal issues to tend to —

In fact, it creates an opportunity for inexperienced players Andre Anthony, Sci Martin and Ray Thornton to get reps in the front 7. So when Key does return, LSU will be deeper and ready to contribute in the fall.

Arden Key will miss the beginning of fall camp, but no additional timeline was added. Thursday, Orgeron added a little more specificity to the discussion, saying he doesn’t expect Key to don pads “in the next couple of weeks.”

Orgeron didn’t rule Key out for the season opener versus BYU on Sept. 2. Obviously, the sooner Key gets back the better things will be for LSU. Key is a projected top-10 NFL draft pick and was a preseason All-SEC honoree after setting the LSU single-season sack record in 2016 with 12.

Key is on the preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagusrki and Bednarik Awards, given to the top defensive player in the nation, and for the Butkus Award given to the nation’s best linebacker. If Key is unable to go, LSU will likely call on true freshman K’Lavon Chaisson or redshirt freshmen Ray Thornton and Andre Anthony.

Orgeron will speak to the media for the first time to open up fall camp on Sunday.

Arden Key, the All-American edge rusher who’s recovering from shoulder surgery, is visiting his own doctor next week to gauge his progress and determine his playing status, Orgeron said.

Key has been practicing during camp in a limited role, not able yet to have contact because of the shoulder, which was operated on in late May. The coach said earlier this week that he doesn’t expect Key to play in the season opener against BYU. That final decision could come from Key’s personal doctor.

“We’ve got guys that see other doctors and do the things they need to do. We OK’ed it with our guys,” Orgeron said when asked about Key visiting a doctor not affiliated with the school.

“He’s going to see his doctor next week. Our doctors are going to talk and they’re going to make a decision and they’ll let me know when he’s going to go.”

Coming into the season, Key was the most-feared defender in the SEC. The preseason first-team All-America edge rusher was supposed to be the heir to Myles Garrett, Jonathan Allen and Derek Barnett as the conference’s quarterback-crushing sack-master. And why not think that? When you post 12 sacks as a sophomore, setting an LSU single-season record, and get first-round NFL draft hype before you turn 21 years old, your junior year is supposed to be even better. It’s supposed to be your showcase year. The year that gets you paid.

Key did not travel with LSU to the Citrus Bowl. Nor did he attend the Tigers’ final two regular season games against Tennessee and Texas A&M.

His final season at LSU was a roller-coaster, starting in the spring when he took a leave of absence from the program to “address a personal issue.” Key has not been made available to the media since coming back to school.

While he was away, Key also underwent shoulder surgery that forced him to miss LSU’s first two games of the season. When he did return, he was 25 pounds over his 2016 playing weight. Rather than making him more stout against the run, the extra weight made Key lose a step and he struggled.

Key was able to shed 20 pounds, and the difference was immediate. After recording just a half-sack in his first four games, Key surged down the stretch. In his final four games, he had 23 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He also played all four games with a broken pinky finger.

However, he could not play after he injured his knee making a tackle against Arkansas on Nov. 11.